Almost immediately after the sale of the property, the Cable Area Chamber of Commerce began discussions with the new owners to find out exactly what they intend to do with the historic Telemark Lodge.

The answer was not one the small town was hoping for...

According to James Bolen, the executive director of the Cable area chamber of Commerce, the owners bought the lodge for the sole intent of a land purchase and indicated they had no interest in re-opening the venue.

Bolen has been in talks with the Newco Corporation to save the lodge that means so much to the town.

The chamber is working with the owners to see if there is a possibility of allowing another group to run the lodge to keep it open and viable.

Bolen says that everyone in the Cable area is concerned and curious about what the future holds since the lodge is a huge part of both the history and the economy of the region.

Bolen says the facility boasts 215 rooms and is home to the largest square footage conference center north of Wisconsin Dells.

The major draw for tourists, says Bolen, is the trail system on the property.

The role the lodge plays is significant.

"For the local economy, it represents a chunk of potential visitors spending their vacation revenues in our area, so having it open is a great boom for the area, and then having it no longer exist represents a real challenge economically to a rural part of northern Wisconsin," said James Bolen.

Bolen remains optimistic that the two sides can come to an agreement to keep the Telemark Lodge alive and thriving.

Citizens were also concerned with the American Birkebeiner that is scheduled for February 2014. In this case, the race will go on.

In August, a judge granted a two year easement agreement meaning the Birkebeiner will go on as planned at the lodge for the next two years.

As far as people staying at the lodge, that is a different story. James Bolen says hundreds if not thousands are now out that money for their deposits.